Today would have been a Holiday Charlie and David would have liked to celebrate together. Can you guess which #Holiday falls on November 8th? National Cappyccino Day. Both Charlie and David love all these facny Coffee while I just want plain ol fashioned Black Coffee with Milk or Half & Half with loads of Sugar. What about you?
Enjoy a Cappuccino on November 8th as we celebrate National Cappuccino Day! Double Espresso, steamed Milk and foam. It’s amazing that these simple ingredients can make us so happy! Start the day with a steaming mug of Cappuccino, or wind down after dinner with a Cappuccino alongside a dessert.
Before we delve into the history of the Cappuccino; let’s go through some basics. Espresso Coffee forms the base from which Cappuccinos are made. Espresso results from a highly-pressurized process which forces hot Water through dense, tightly-packed grounds resulting in less than an ounce of an incredibly strong brew with an earthy taste and rich aroma.
Did you know there’s an unverified legend that a 17th Century Monk named Marco d’Aviano who first created the Cappuccino after the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Many historians conclude that Cappuccinos do originate with a subset of the Catholic Church’s friars, the Capuchin Monks around that same time.
But Coffee being the global drink that it is, has always found a place in Vienna. By 1805, an early version of the Cappuccino, also known as the “Kapuziner,” starts to appear in Viennese Coffee Houses. These drinks were “Coffee with Cream and Sugar.” But the name, Cappuccino, is descriptive. Capuchino refers to the deep, brown color of the hooded frocks or “Cappuccini,” worn by 17th Century Capuchin Monks in Italy.
Later, in 1901, Italian inventor, Luigi Bezzera, filed the first patent for an Espresso Machine. That created wide demand for a Cappyccino but only a few restaurants could make Cappuccinos because the machines were bulky and not easy to use.
However, after WWII, technical improvements made Espresso Machines easier to use and their popularity spread throughout Italy and other parts of Europe and the world. The rest is frothy, Espresso-infused history.
In the United States, Cappuccino reached the zenith of its popularity due in large part to Seattle and Starbucks. Although we honor National Cappuccino Day, no organization or person has stepped up to claim its creation. Still, we appreciate a wonderful part of our morning routine. Enjoy!
National Cappuccino Day Activities
- Phone a friend and invite them to have a cup of Coffee and catch up on life as you sip your daily dose of Caffeine from a warm mug. What could be better? A second Cappuccino!
- Don’t let the fancy name fool you Cappuccinos are simple to make with the right equipment. Purchase an Espresso Maker and start enjoying your favorite caffeinated beverage at home, any time you want one.
- With so many Baristas creating custom masterpieces in the foam, Cappuccino is like art. Post your foamy artwork with the hashtag #NationalCappuccinoDay for the world to admire.
Delicious Alternatives For The Cappuccino Enthusiast
- Did you know Lattes have the same amount of Espresso as a Cappuccino, but more Milk, requiring them to be served in a larger cup. Add a flavored Syrup to change the Cappuccino up!
- Flat Whites are prepared with a milder, double shot of Espresso and Milk with very little foam.
- Macchiatos are a great fit for the Espresso lover, as they match Cappuccinos in their Espresso measurement, but contain less Milk.
Why People Love National Cappuccino Day
Sharing Coffee has a way of bringing people together. Whether it’s shared across a conference table or from a cozy Coffee Shop with family and friends, a warm cup of Cappuccino has a way of drawing a crowd. Purchasing a Cappuccino is a love language all its own!
To honor this beloved Espresso beverage, let’s indulge in a Cappuccino which every Coffee Shop and a number of Restaurants make. Order up a Cappuccino alongside your breakfast or Dessert to cap off the day.
The concept of Cappuccinos dates back to the 1700s, stretching across Europe under a number of different names. The modern day version was dubbed “Cappuccino” after the color of the Monks’ robes of the Capuchin order. That’s hundreds of years of history brewed into one steamy mug!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 espresso shots (2 ounces)
- 4 ounces (½ cup) fresh whole milk*
Instructions
Serve: Swirl the milk container a few times. Pour milk and foam into center of the espresso.
Make the espresso: Use an espresso machine to make two shots of espresso and pour it into a mug.
Steaming method (espresso machine): Place the milk in a pitcher. Hold the steaming wand just below the surface of the milk until it doubles in size and is very foamy. Lower the steaming wand slightly until the milk reaches 150°F (use a thermometer or judge by when your hand can’t hold the pitcher for more than a few seconds).
OR, heat the milk to scalding and foam it (without espresso machine): Heat the milk to 150°F, which is hot to the touch but not simmering. Measure with a food thermometer, or you can approximate by testing with your finger. Use a milk frother, French press or whisk to froth the milk until it’s very foamy. For a cappuccino you’ll want a good amount of froth: you’re going for ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk and ⅓ foam. We highly recommend reading How to Froth Milk if this is your first time frothing. For the French press method, note that it’s useful to have at least 1 cup to have more milk to work with: this makes enough for 2 drinks.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
